February will require us to perform the balancing act of having one foot in winter and the other stepping ahead to Spring. We will continue with some of the winter pruning and storm clean up and drainage chores started in January while preparing for the...
Ready or not, 2017 is here. We hope that your holiday season was safe and enjoyable however you may have celebrated it. As we put the celebrations of the Season behind us, take down the decorations, swear off the sweets and adult beverages for a...
The New Year always seems to bring with it new possibilities. Since we are talking landscapes here, make the resolution to invest in your home’s potential. Commit to making home improvements with a green mindset; choosing local and sustainable materials whenever possible, opting for energy and...
When you consider fall and winter, you might think that there’s not much to do in the garden but there is plenty to keep us busy. Fall in particular can be quite busy as there tends to be a lot of leaf cleanup and pruning to...
As we head into the hustle and bustle of the holiday season make a commitment not to neglect your outdoor spaces. Make the most of your outdoor space every season of the year. This time of year naturally our attention turns inward to the warm...
Living in Southern California, we have the luxury of enjoying the outdoors most of the year. Mid-Century designers recognized this and began designing homes with indoor and outdoor features that flowed seamlessly. The truth is, our affinity for outdoor living in a temperate climate goes...
The American Society of Landscape Architects recently completed a survey of its members to find out what’s on everyone’s mind regarding the different parts of a landscape design project. Interestingly, we learned “the top landscape and garden elements include native plants (86.02 percent), low-maintenance landscapes...
With our current heat wave it’s hard to imagine wanting to sit too close to a fire but once winter rolls around you’ll thank yourself for the forethought. A hardscape project in your yard often takes a bit more time and leeway than we often...
Summer is around the corner and the cool sunny breezes beckon us to open the windows and let the sun shine in; and longer days make it easy to want to spend more time outdoors. All this leads to looking at our outdoor environments with...
Make a master plan! Whether it is a curb appeal showpiece or a backyard sanctuary where you play, grow and relax that you dream of, don’t just slap a patio down here and a planter area there as time and budget allow. Think about your outdoor...
A permeable paver is any surface that allows water to seep into the soil. This eco-friendly idea keeps more water on your property by allowing it to percolate down into the soil while reducing run-off into our sewers and waterways. Consider creating a path with...
An incredibly efficient way to save water is with a drip system irrigation. Netafim is our high-end choice for much of this type of irrigation. Oftentimes, with a properly installed system, we can save between and 30-70% water savings. Typical sprinklers can spray on your lawn...